• Mediaweek, Tuesday, July 29, 2008 10 AM

In the wake of the broadcast networks' poor April and May ratings, the tide has turned. Through the first eight weeks of summer, the Big Five broadcast networks were drawing 1.2 million more viewers per night than last summer. They also have been averaging the same cumulative 1.6 18-49 demo rating as they did last summer, per Nielsen.

"What could have been a catastrophic situation has turned into a relatively good summer," says Brad Adgate, director at Horizon Media. The improvement will allow the networks to catch up with makegoods they owe before the start of the new season.

As for cable, "the premieres of many of the major scripted cable series have exceeded last year's numbers," says John Spiropoulos, MediaVest director. Overall, the 15 largest ad-supported cable nets are drawing the same number of viewers as last summer.

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